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Authentic Moroccan Sardine Tagine served on a white plate with potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and chermoula.

Authentic Moroccan Sardine Tagine

A classic Moroccan Sardine Tagine made with fresh sardines, tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, and bold chermoula seasoning. Easy, affordable, and packed with Mediterranean flavor
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Moroccan
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • . 600 g . Fresh sardines . Cleaned and butterflied
  • . 4 . Tomatoes . Grated or finely chopped
  • . 2 . Potatoes . Thinly sliced
  • . 1 . Green pepper . Sliced
  • . 1 . Lemon . Cut into thin slices
  • . 4 . Garlic cloves . Minced
  • . 1 cup . Fresh parsley and cilantro . Finely chopped
  • Chermoula Sauce Ingredients
  • . 1 tbsp . Paprika .
  • . 1 tbsp . Ground cumin .
  • . 1 tbsp . Lemon juice .
  • . 1 tsp . Salt .
  • . 1 tsp . Black pepper .
  • . 1 tsp . Turmeric .
  • . 1 tsp . Chili flakes . Optional
  • . 4 tbsp . Olive oil . For the marinade

Method
 

  1. Instruction 1
  2. Prepare the chermoula sauce by mixing parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, paprika, cumin, turmeric, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a bowl until smooth.
  3. Instruction 2
  4. Coat the fresh sardines thoroughly in the chermoula and let them marinate while you prepare the vegetables.
  5. Instruction 3
  6. Layer the bottom of the tagine with sliced potatoes to prevent sticking and burning.
  7. Instruction 4
  8. Add the grated tomatoes and sliced green peppers over the potatoes to create a flavorful base.
  9. Instruction 5
  10. Arrange the marinated sardines over the vegetables in a neat circular pattern.
  11. Instruction 6
  12. Top with lemon slices and drizzle any leftover chermoula over everything.
  13. Instruction 7
  14. Cover the tagine and cook over low heat for 30 to 35 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the sardines are fully cooked.
  15. Instruction 8
  16. Serve hot with fresh bread.

Notes

This Sardine Tagine tastes even better when cooked slowly on charcoal, but a stovetop works perfectly. Use very fresh sardines for the best flavor.